Mahoning Valley Thunder Coach Chris MacKeown insists that Tom Zetts is now with the team because he is a player, not because he is a local guy to promote as a ticket selling scheme. Zetts enjoyed a very successful career at Boardman High School and later with Youngstown State University.

As a member of the Penguins, Zetts recorded school bests for pass attempts (1,094), completions (654), touchdowns (51), yardage (7,643), 200-yard games (13) and completion percentage (59.8). His 8,277 total offensive yards are also tops in Penguins history.

Zetts spent the 2008 season with the Parma Panthers of the Italian-American Football League. In his only season at the controls he guided his Italian Panthers team to the EFAF Cup Championship. At season’s end, Zetts returned to the area and coached at Duquesne.

The Thunder contacted Zetts in the Spring to be a part of the team, but Zetts is very devoted to his job at Boardman High where he teaches a couple of levels of algebra. His involvement in Spartans extra-curricular activities limited his time. With three weeks left in the Thunder season, he wanted to take the time to see what he could do while still young and in good physical condition.

Zetts told me he is thrilled to be a part of the Thunder and maybe getting the chance to play in front of family and friends. Because of his familiarity with the area, a few of Zetts’ new co-workers have tried to make him tour guide for Youngstown nightlife and places to meet a pretty girl. A chuckling Zetts replied that he is happy and that with a great girlfriend he doesn’t do too much solo nightlife activity.

Zetts said he didn’t hear much about the Steve McNair tragedy other than the fact that he was dead. He was in San Diego enjoying a visit with his brother.

Tom likes to watch Two And A Half Men and Sportscenter. He is a Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers fan, but credits the emergence of cable television and TBS for his liking of the Atlanta Braves.

Zetts told me all of the places he has been, nobody has the selection of good pizza like Youngstown. His favorite place is Belleria, but said he enjoys pizza from many places in the area.

Tom is a country music fan. His favorite artist is Pat Green.

Zetts, like every other Thunder player likes video games. He has a PS3 and is currently playing Call of Duty 4. He also enjoys tinkering with some sports games.

Tom Zetts is a welcome addition to this team. He knows his role and says he is not here to take Brad Roach’s job. Coack MacKeown says that the person who plays will be the person who puts the team in the best position to win. I like both Zetts and Roach and would not want to make that decision.